Gala Dinner 2017

Guest Speaker

A.D. LEAKEYCMG CBE

Lieutenant General, Black Rod

Black Rod is best known for his part in the ceremonies surrounding the State Opening of Parliament and the Throne speech.

He summons the Commons to attend the speech and leads them to the Lords. As part of the ritual, as Black Rod approaches the doors to the chamber of the House of Commons to make his summons, they are slammed in his face. This is to symbolize the Commons’ independence of the Sovereign.

Black Rod then strikes the door three times with his staff, and is then admitted and issues the summons of the monarch to attend.